Iceland's National Broadcasting Service Signs Publishing Agreement with Alda Music

The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (Ríkisútvarpið, RÚV) has entered into a comprehensive publishing agreement with a music company, Alda Music. This partnership has raised eyebrows among musicians and industry observers alike.

According to an official report on the RÚV website, a deal was signed that encompasses the entirety of RÚV's content. Alda Music has had a long-standing partnership with RÚV, spanning decades, involving the production and distribution of records, CDs, and digital content. Under the new agreement, the partnership is expanded, allowing Alda closer involvement in the publishing of content in collaboration with RÚV and other rights holders.

The agreement also aims to enhance the digital availability of archival material from RÚV's collection and bolster the international distribution of songs from the Eurovision Song Contest pre-selections.

While the scope of RÚV's role in a competitive market remains a talking point, many are reluctant to discuss the deal openly due to RÚV's dominant market position. However, the news outlet Vísir spoke with stakeholders who wished to remain anonymous.

RÚV: A Major Publisher in the Spotlight

One individual who provided insights was Sigtryggur Baldursson, the managing director of the Icelandic Music Export Office (ÚTÓN). Sigtryggur Baldursson expressed uncertainty regarding the specifics of the agreement, questioning whether it involved Alda Music purchasing master rights from RÚV or if it constituted merely a distribution agreement.

Baldursson highlighted that the agreement appeared to be a distribution deal allowing Alda Music access to a wealth of recordings for which RÚV holds the rights.

"RÚV has a significant presence as a publisher, owning the rights to a large number of audio recordings created through its channels. This move seems like an effort to circulate this content; whether another agency should have been utilized is open for debate," says Baldursson.

The Debate on Profit Privatization and Loss Publicization

Baldursson is unclear about RÚV's intentions with the recordings it owns. He believes that the broadcaster should seek ways to return those rights to the musicians themselves.

"It looks like a distribution agreement aimed at increasing the play and circulation of content owned by RÚV and the nation," he adds.

"But isn't this just the classic case of privatizing profits while socializing losses?" Baldursson questions with a hint of humor in his tone, pointing to a broader concern about public entities creating private revenue streams at the expense of public resources.

RÚV, AldaMusic, agreement